Saint Mary's University announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Khan as its next President and Vice-Chancellor, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Khan will join Saint Mary's from Trent University, where he currently serves as Provost and Vice-President Academic.
"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Khan as the 35th President of Saint Mary's University," said Chair, Board of Governors, Alan R. Abraham Jr. BComm'80. "Dr. Khan's extensive experience in academic leadership, his innovative approach to education, and his commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse communities make him an ideal fit for our university. We are confident that, under his leadership, Saint Mary's will continue to achieve excellence."
Dr. Khan brings a wealth of experience and a diverse, international perspective to his new role. He has been Provost and Vice-President Academic at Trent since 2020. Dr. Khan's distinguished career includes his tenure as Dean of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor, where he oversaw the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics & Recreational Services. Prior to this, he was the Head of the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences at Bangor University in Wales, U.K.
Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Khan's multicultural heritage and international experiences have shaped his approach to academic leadership.
"I am deeply honoured and delighted to join Saint Mary's University as President and Vice-Chancellor, said Dr. Michael Khan. "Saint Mary's is celebrated both nationally and internationally for its excellence in research, teaching and community engagement. The university's values align closely with my own. I am committed to supporting students in realizing their goals and aspirations."
Dr. Khan's extensive experience spans academic and administrative leadership, strategic enrollment management, fundraising, and creative partnerships. As Provost at Trent University, Dr. Khan has spearheaded the development of an integrative academic plan that led to the creation of numerous new undergraduate and graduate programs, postgraduate certificates, and co-op opportunities. At Bangor University, he fostered partnerships in the public and private sectors by establishing innovative, high-impact research groups. In Windsor, he led the creation of the Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre Project, a $73 million sport and recreation facility for the university and its community, and actively promoted links with healthcare and sport organizations, school boards, businesses, and charities.
With a research background in cognitive processes underlying movement control and learning, Dr. Khan's work focuses on the visual control of manual movements. He is also a former elite athlete with over 25 years of coaching experience and has a keen interest in talent identification and expertise development. Dr. Khan holds a Ph.D. in Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia, an M.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, and a B.Sc. in Geophysics from McGill University.
Saint Mary's University is excited to welcome Dr. Michael Khan on July 1, 2025, and looks forward to the innovative leadership and international perspective he will bring to the institution.
